Brake for fishing reels



Oct. 23, 1951 G. F. LAING BRAKE FOR FISHING REEL-S 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed Feb. 4, 1946 40 INVENTOR.

GORDON F. LAING ATTY I Oct. 23, 1951 G. F. LAlNG 2,572,495

BRAKE FOR FISHING REELS Fil ed Feb. 4, 1946 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Fig. 6

INVENTOR. H h GORDON F. LAING AQ ym BY 85/ Z '3 4blldy M ATTY Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UN [TED STATES BRAKE FOR FISHING 'REELS Gordon F. .Laing, Delavan, Wis., assignor .to The George W. Borg Corporation, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of Delaware Application February 4, 1946, Serial No. 645,334

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates in general to fishing-reels and the object of the invention is to produce a new and improved device of this character.

A feature of the invention is a novel frame construction for a fishing reel, which is exceptionally rigid and strong, and which provides for fixing and maintaining the location'of the bearings and other parts with the maximum precision. This feature is claimed indivisional application Serial No. 68,979, filed January 3, 1949.

Another feature is an improved anti-backlash device, with a novel arrangement for adjusting the same.

Still another feature is a new and improved click and brake mechanism having a common control and adjusting device, which is claimed in divisional applicationlSer. No. 170,139, filed June 24,1950.

The foregoing and other features will be described fully in the following specification, refer ence being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- :Fig. 1 is a top view :of a fishing reel embodying the invention;

Fig. '2 :is an-end view'of the same, as seen from the :right in Fig. 1;

Fig. '3 is a bottom view of the fishing reel;

.Fig. 4 is another end 'view, as seen from the right inZFig. 53;

Fig. -5 is va front view of :the fishing reel;

Fig. 6 is across section through the reel, taken on the ;line'5--6 in Fig. 2;

Tig. '7 is an end view corresponding to Fig. 4, with the :end cap removed;

Fig. 8 is an end view corresponding to Fig. 2, With 'the other end cap removed;

Fig. 9 is another end View, from the'same direction as Fig. "7, with'various parts removed so as to expose the opposite side of the frame plate shown in 'Fig.8,;

Fig. l is a partial cross-section on theline 'IIJ, Fig. 8; and

Fig. 11 is a partial cross-section .on the line 'II--I-I in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the frame of t e reel comprises ,a semi-cylindrical frame member II, and two end ,plates "I2 and I3, the shape of which can be seen in Figs. 7,, 8 and 9. parts :may be aluminum die castings. The-frame member :II has four ribs 14, I5, :IB, and I l, which can beseen in Figs. ..-l,':3, and t and also in the .end view, Fig. 9. "The end plate JIZ, see Fig. '7, is attached to the frame member II by means of These four screws such as 22 which pass through the end plate and are threaded into tapped holes in the frame member. These holes are located at the ribs M-I'I, as can be seen in Fig. 9. The'end plate I3, Fig. 8, is attached to the frame member II in the same way, by screws such as 23.

In order to mount the reelon a fishing rod the usual curved plate or saddle 23 is provided and is attached to the frame member H by means of screws, as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be seen that the reel frame, including the frame member II, is exceptionally strong and rigid, considerably more so than the usual frame in which the frame plates are secured together by separate pillars. This frame member II also functions as a splash guard to prevent the rotating spool, when casting with a wet line, from throwing water onto the hand of the fisherman. An opening 21 is provided in the frame member which reduces the weight of the reel somewhat anddrains out *water which might otherwise accumulate.

The end caps I8 and i9 may also be aluminum die castings and enclose the par-ts at the ends of the reel outside the frame plates. 'Theseend caps are secured to the frame plates "by screws. The end cap I8, 'for examp'le, has an internal annular recess I22, shown in Fig. 6 and indicated by a dotted line in'Fig. 4, which is machined to lit the outside of the annular rib 123 with which the frame plate 12 is provided. The end cap is held against the frame plate by two screws which pass through the holes 24 and 25 in the frame plate, Fig. 7, and are threaded into tapped holes 26 and 21 in the end cap. These holes are indicated by dotted circles in Fig. 4. Theend cap I9 is generally similar to end cap I8 and is secured to the frame plate I3 in the same manner.

The reel spool is indicated by reference character 28 and is carried on the shaft 29. The shaft has hearings in the bronze bearing bushings .30 and 3I which are supported on the end plates l2 and I3, respectively, as shown in Fig. 6. The shaft has a thrust bearing at the steel disc '32 carried on the end cap I8 and another thrust bearing at the spring 33 which is carried on the end cap I9 and is tensioned against the adjusting screw 34. This screw is threaded into a tapped hole in the end cap I9 and is used to adjust the end play in the shaft.

The reel spool 28 is rotated by means of the double ended crank 43 which turns the spur gear '40 meshing with the pinion 45 on the spool shaft 29. The pinion -45 has'intern-al grooves to fit the splined end of the shaft, which prevents the pin- 3 ion from rotating relative to the shaft. The pinion is removable and is normally held in place on the shaft by the Spring 33 on the end capl8.

The construction of the gear and associated parts can best be explained in connection with Fig. 11. The gear has an integrally formed tubular shaft 4|, whereby it is rotatably supported on the stud or post 35. The post 35 has an annular flange 36 which bears against a boss on the frame plate I3 and an end extension 37 which is received in an opening in the frame plate I3. The extension 3'. may have a press fit in the frame plate and may be further secured by riveting or staking. The post 35 and shaft 4| pass through an opening in the end cap |9, which is large enough to afford clearance for the shaft. A boss 42 surrounds thi opening and projects inwardly toward the gear wheel 40. The gear wheel has a small amount of end play between the flange 36 and the boss 82. Near the right end the shaft 35 v is threaded and is cut away on opposite sides to form shoulders against which the crank 43 is clamped in the usual manner by the nut 45.

To provide for oiling the bearin between shaft 4| and post 35, the latter has a longitudinal hole 38 which is connected with a wide annular channel on the post by means of the cross hole 39. If desired a wick may be threaded through the holes 38 and 39 to convey oil to the channel from the space inside the nut 44.

At this time the arrangement for oiling the bearings of shaft 29 may also be explained. The frame plate |3 has a short radial rib 46, Fig. 9, which extends from the flange 47 to the outer edge of the frame plate and is drilled out to receive the oil cup 48. There is a correspondingly located but longer radial rib 49 on the other side of the frame plate which extends inwardly to the boss which surrounds the bearing bushing 3| and which is drilled to provide an oil channel extending from the oil cup to the bearing. This hole of course extends through the wall of the bearing bushing. The arrangement of oil cup and oil channel for oiling the bearing 38 at the other end of the shaft is the same.

The level wind mechanism is generally similar to level wind mechanisms used in previous reels. The level wind shaft is indicated at 5| and at one end has a bearing in the bearing bushing 52 which is fixed in the frame plate l3. At the other end the shaft has a bearing in the flanged sleeve 54. This sleeve fits inside the housing tube '55 which in turn has a close fit in a hole drilled in the frame plate I2. At the other end the tube 55 is'supported on the bearing bushing 52. The sleeve 54, tube 55 and shaft 5| are removable and are normally held in assembled position by a spring 56 which is compressed between the flange on sleeve 54 and the end cap l8. The tube 55 should be formed to fit the partly squared end of the bushing 52 to insure its proper orientation when assembled.

The shaft 5| is driven by a gear 53 which is mounted on the splined end of the shaft and is in mesh with the gear 49. The gear 53 is retained on the shaft by a boss 68 on the end cap IS.

The line guide 53 and the line guide carriage 5! are shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 5. The carriage 51 is slidable on the tube 55. Movement of the carriage responsive to rotation of shaft 5| is brought about in known manner by means of a pawl which is carried in the housing 58, where it is retained by a screw 62, and which has access to the grooved shaft 5| through a slot in the tube 55. The end of the line guide 59 rides in a slot in 4 the pillar 6| which i supported on the frame plates l2 and [3.

The click mechanism may now be described. The click gear is indicated by the reference numeral 55 and is mounted on the spool shaft 29 between the spool and the frame plate I3, as shown in Fig. 6. The shaft is grooved for a retainin ring which holds the click gear on the shaft. The spool is recessed to receive the tapered hub of the gear and includes an integrally formed projection 66 which extends into the recess and into a notch in the hub of the gear to prevent the gear from turning on the shaft.

The click pawl 67 is rotatably supported on a headed and shouldered stud 58, Figs. 9 and 10. which extends through the slot 18 in the frame plate l3 and is rigidly secured to the short cylindrical member 69. The click spring includes a base portion ll, which is fastened to the frame plate |3 by screws 32 and 13, and two semi-circular leaves 14 and 15 which engage the click pawl 61 on opposite sides thereof. The pawl assembly is normally maintained in the position in which it is shown in Figs. 9 and 10, with the pawl out of engagement with the click gear, by a spring 16 which is tensioned between the member 69 and the screw I3. The screw '13 is one of the screws which fasten the click spring 7| to the frame plate and extends through the frame plate to cooperate with the spring F6 as described. A boss ll formed on frame plate 13 and a nut on screw 13 serve to retain spring 16 in position.

The click pawl 61 may be moved into operative relation to the click gear by means of the cam 88, operated by the knurled knob 18. This knob is located in a recess in the end cap I9 and is rigidly mounted on a short shaft 19 which ex: tends through the end cap. The cam rests against a shoulder on the shaft where it is secured by riveting the end of the shaft. A friction washer is preferably interposed between the cam 80 and the end cap to prevent accidental turning of the knob 18. The cam 80 has an arcuate recess, as shown in Fig. 8, in which the cylindrical member 69 of the click pawl assembly is normally received. When the cam 80 is rotated by means of the knob 18 the member 69 .rides up out of this recess on to the cylindrical part of the cam and the click pawl assembly necessarily moves radially toward the click gear 65 against the tension of spring 16. In this operation the stud 68 on which the click pawl. 61 is supported moves along the slot 10 and the pawl is brought into engagement with the gear. When the knob is rotated back and the recess in the cam is again brought into alignment with the member 69 the click pawl assembly is restored by the spring 16. I

The brake mechanism includes a cylindrical brake member 8| which may be made of Bakelite and is slidable in a hole drilled through the frame plate |3 at the boss 11. The block 82, which may be formed integrally with the frame plate, serves to support the relatively stiff spring 83 and a lighter spring 84. Spring 83 extends from the block 82 to the cam 80, as shown in Fig, 8, but the spring 84 extends only to the brake member 8| where the end of the spring is forked to receive the grooved end of the brake member. Spring 84 is tensioned toward spring 83 and is effective to normally maintain the brake member 8| in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 6, where it is out of contact with the spool 28.

The brake is put on and adjusted by means-of the knob 18, which also controls the click. To

azezaace thisendthe eam M is provided with "a cam surface 18.5 in the form of .an :inclined plane which cooperates with end of'zspring 83. When the knob 1'18 is rotated from its normal or "Ofi positioni't first puts on the click, that is, the click pawl 26.! iszmoved into operative relation to the click gear .in theimarmeralready described, This initial rotation of the knob doesnot put on the brake :but is eifectiveto bring the cam :surface I 8.5 into engagement with .the end of spring 83 and-ate depress the spring sufliciently to start the movement of the brake member 81 toward the head of spool .28. Further rotation of the knob causes-ethefibrake member 87! to engage the :spool head with :a pressure which depends upon the tension infspring 83 which in turn depends upon the-extent of such "further rotation. .It will be noted thatuspring 83 is narrower in width near the block .82, due to .twozarcuate cut-outs, so that it bends mainly'zat this point.

The brake is released by rotation of the knob H3 in the opposite direction, as will be understood' 'The brake :may be released while the click .is left on by rotating the knob 18 only :far enough to relieve the tension in spring 83. For convenience :an index linemay be provided on thexknob 18 :for cooperation with ta similar line or imarkon the end .cap I9, as shown in ,Fig. 1, these lines being so located that when :they are nlignment'the cliokrispn :but the brake .is off. 1'.

Suitable "calibrations may :also be employed "to indicate different degrees of brake pressure, if desired, but 'willinot usually be required.

- anti-backlash mechanism may now "be described, reference being had'toFigs. 6 and 7.

The :shaft '29 has a threaded portion "of reduced diameter at the left hand end, forming ashoulder against which the rectangular metal block 81 :is *tightly screwed. .A look nut '92 is effective to preventzthe block :SIl'rom becoming loose on the :shaft. .Two .U-rshaped members 88 and :89 are pivotally supported on the block 181 and -carry the-pivoted brake members .90 and .9 L These brake members may be made of Bakelite rod or other suitable material.

'The"bra:ke members 190 and 91 are adapted to cooperate-with '2. metal disc '94 which is supported in part :on the extension 93 of the shaft bearing bushing 30. "The disc 94 is rotatable and is "also axially'mova'ble 011 the extension 93. 'The disc :94 is further supported on three pins which project from the frame 'plate 12 and cooperate with three integrally formed inclined tongues 95, 96, andiSal with which the disc .94 .is provided. The pin '98 which cooperates with the tongue 95 can :be seen in Fig. 6. In Fig. '7 the tongue 96 has been 'cut away to zexposeithepin '99. The remaining pin is underneath the tongue '91, :as will be readily aunderstood. The reference 'character 1190 indicates an annular ring made of suitableresilient material which is secured to the frame plate 1.2 by means of-screws and which has three integrally formed :spring leaves 101, I02 and 103. These spring :leaves are tensioned downward against the tongues 95, 96and'91, respectively, and serve to hold the tongues .in contact with the ends of the pins such 'as 9-8 and 99.

The arrangement for2adj11s'ting the anti-backlash mechanism comprises a .knurled knob I05, Fig. .1, :a pinion 106 and an "arcuate rack H11 which :is part of the disc :94. The parts last mentioned are shown in Fig. 7. The construction :as :regards the knob H and pinion 106 18 'sir'n'ilarto what is shown in Eig. 10 in-connection.

with the "knob :18 and 80; that is, ithefknob 6 alllirhas n :s'haft @extending "through the end cap Etflnndthe piniondillfijs secureddzo thisishai't inside the end-.zcap.

When 'the :knob 1 B5. :is rotated :in the "direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, -;it rotates the disc 'fid'zin a clockwise direction .as :seen injlig. 7-, by :means or pinion El 06 and :rack I 01, "with theresult'thatfthe disc rmoves axially outward in the direction 10f the :brake members :and 9.]. When the knob is n'otatediin the opposite direction the .disc rotates in acounter-clockwise direction andmoves axially inward toward :the frame 'plate. The axial movement of the :discuesponsive'torotation thereof -is due "to lthe cooperation .laetween the inclined tongues such :as on the disc-and the fixed pins such. as :58 the'drame plate, as will read-ily'ib appreciated. Atrthe end of its inward movement :the disc 9'4 irests against the :frame plate. This zposition of the disc, "in T'Wh'lC'h the anti-backlash mechanism .is off, tmay be :indicated by the alignment of -index "marks on the knob itlli'zand Ethe endcap :l'ltzsimilar to the index marks provided .in connection with'tthezkndb 1B. In figs. 6 and I7 th'erposition in which theiparlts are shown inabout half way between 'th'e"foff position and the fully iadvamced rposition, and this ipartly on :position is revealed by thesp'osition. of the :index marks Bin Fig. l, whichlare out of alignment.

The operation :of :the areel "W-i11'Ib8.,?f01 the most part, entirely obvious ifrom thedescription sof :the construction which has been given in :the foregoing and will require :any explanation. This applies to the operation of reeling in theline, in which the spool 28 Iisrotatedtby the acrank 43., the concurrent operation of -the level wind mechanism, which distributes the :coils evenly on .ithe spool, and the operation of the click and brake mechanism. The function of the last mentioned mechanism is well known, and the special features involved in "its construction and adjustment have already been explained.

The operation of casting, however, involves the operation of "the anti-backlash mechanism :as to which some further "explanation may be 'desirable. This mechanism isof course designed "to prevent overrunning of "thefspool during casting, which is 'the cause of backlash.

When a cast is made the b'ait'is projectedwith an initial high velocity, which has -a maximum value 'veryzshorltly after :the :bait begins its flight and which decreases quiterrapidly, due mainly to the "wind resistance. The reel spool is rotated at a correspondingly :high :speed at the start of the castand its rotationtisopposedby a force'which slows down its rotationalspeed :at approximately the "same .rate as the velocity of the bait .is decreased by the wind resistance. .Thus the overrumiing ofthe spool 'is;prevented1and there is no tendency for a backlash to :occur.

The force referred'to is developed by the antibacklash mechanism. The-assembly comprising the block 281, the "pivoted members :88 and 89, and the brake members .90 and 91, rotates with the reel spool :and the pivoted members 88 :and 89 are subjected to centrifugal .force developed :by the rotation. :For the mostipartthis force is :ap-

plied in a radial direction but since the said members .88 and 89 'are:not pivoted opposite their centers of mass vth'erecis also .an axial component which tends to rotate :the members .88 and '89 on their pivots and :press "the brake :members 190 and 9| against the disc v194. Thus a retarding force 'is developed by friction whiichslows down the spool.

'The pressure which the brake members exert on the disc 94 depends on the rotational speed and also on the axial position of the disc. The pressure varies with the axial position of the disc for any given rotational speed because of the fact that the axial component of centrifugal force acting on the members 88 and 89 depends on the angular position of these members on their pivots when the brake members 90 and 9| are in engagement with the disc 94. As the parts are shown in Fig. 6, for example, it will be clear that there will be a considerable axial component acting to press the brake members against the disc. It will also be clear that this component will be increased when the disc is adjusted to a position in which it is farther away from the frame plate l2 and that it will be decreased as the disc is adjusted toward the frame plate. When the disc is in its extreme right hand position against the frame plate the axial component is reduced to zero by rotation of members 88 and 89 on their pivots before the brake members 90 and 9! engage the disc. In this position 'of the disc, therefore, the anti-backlash mechanism is off, that is, it exerts no retarding force acting to oppose rotation of the reel spool.

The amount of braking required to eliminate backlash will depend on the weight and size of the bait, the condition of the wind, and to some extent on the casting technique of the fisherman. The requisite adjustment for satisfactory operation is readily obtained by means of the knob I05, which regulates the position of disc 94 as already explained.

The invention having been described, that which is believed to be new and for which the protection of Letters Patent is desired will be pointed out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fishing reel, a frame including an end plate, a spool shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, said shaft having a cylindrical bearing member fixed to and projecting from said end plate, a braking surface member rotatably and slidably mounted on the projecting portion of said bearing member, said bearing member having a cylindrical external bearing surface on which said braking surface member is supported and said braking surface member having a flat annular braking surface, centrifugally operated braking members co-acting with said braking surface responsive to rotation of the spool, and means independent of said bearing member and responsive to rotation of the said braking surface member to slide the same on said bearing member and vary the pressure developed on said braking surface by said braking members at a given rotational speed.

2. In a fishing reel, a frame, a spool rotatably mounted in said frame, a rotatable and axially movable part having a braking surface, centrifugally operated brake members rotating with said spool and adapted to bear against said braking surface with a pressure which depends on the axial position thereof, manually operated means for rotating said part, and means responsive to rotation of said part for axially moving the same, said last means comprising a plurality of arcuate inclined tongues fixed to said part, and a plurality of pins on the said frame cooperating with the inclined surfaces of said tongues.

33. In a fishing reel, a frame, a spool rotatably mounted in said frame, a braking surface disposed in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of said spool, centrifugally operated brake members rotating with said spool and adapted to bear against said braking surface with a pressure which depends on the axial position of said braking surface, and means for axially adjusting said braking surface, said means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced cams and coacting cam followers, means for producing relative rotation between said cams and followers to move said braking surface in one direction along said axis, and spring means for moving said braking surface in the opposite direction along said axis.

4. In a fishing reel, a frame including an end plate, a spool shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, said shaft having a bearing member fixed on said end plate, brake mechanism mounted on said shaft adjacent said end' plate and includ-. ing brake members movable axially of said shaft responsive to centrifugal force, a braking sur-' face member rotatably supported on said bearing member and having a braking surface engaged by said brake members, said braking surface member and said bearing member'having cooperating cylindrical bearing surfaces which permit both rotational and axial movement of said braking surface member, a toothed sector secured to said braking surface member, an end cap enclosing said brake mechanism, a .stub shaft extending through the wall of saidend cap and carrying a pinion which is in mesh with said sector, means outside said end cap for rotating said stub shaft to thereby rotate said braking surface member, and means responsive to rotation of said braking surface member to move the same axially on said bearing member to adjust the position of said braking surface.

5. In a fishing reel, 21, frame, a spool shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, two link members secured to said shaft by means of pivots, an annular braking surface, means for axially adjusting said braking surface,'two brake members supported on said link members, respectively, and movable along arcs of circles in substantially axial directions to engage said braking surface in difierent adjusted positions thereof by rotation of said link members on their pivots responsive to centrifugal force, said brake members having flat surfaces engaging said braking surface, and pivots comprising the means for supporting said brake members on said link members to enable the brake members to maintain their surfaces in full contact with said braking surface notwithstanding rotation of said link members on their pivots.

6. A fishing reel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivots for the brake members are located substantially at the centers of mass of the respective brake members so that centrifugal force developed in said brake members does not tend to rotate them on said pivots.

7. In a fishing reel, a frame, a spool shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, and antibacklash mechanism including an annular braking surface, centrifugally operated brake members rotating with said shaft in contact with said braking surface, and means for developing an axial component of centrifugal force and converting it entirely into pressure between said brake members and said surface, said means comprising link members attached to said brake members, respectively, and pivots on which said link members are freely rotatable for securing said link members to said shaft, said pivots being so located relative to the centers of mass of said link and brake members that the centrif .75 ugal, force developed by rotation of said link and brake members includes a small axial component which is converted undiminished into brake pressure as set forth. I

8. In a fishing reel, a frame, a spool shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, antibacklash mechanism effective during a cast to apply a braking force to said spool which decreases as the square of the spool speed, said mechanism including brake members, link members attached to said brake members, pivots connecting said link members to said shaft, said pivots being so located with respect to the centers of mass of the link and brake members that the centrifugal force developed by rotation of said parts includes a relatively small axial component in addition to the radial component, and a braking surface engaged by said brake members with a pressure which is equal to said" axial component, said braking surface constituting the sole 'medium which opposes rotation of said link members on their pivots responsive to said axial component.

9. In a fishing reel, a frame, a spool shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, and antib'acklash mechanism comprising a member fixed to said shaft, a plurality of radially extending 'links each comprising two angularly spaced arms, pivot means connecting the arms of each'link to said member to provide a, driven connection thereto, brake members associated with said links, respectively, each brake member being disposed between the arms of the associated link and connected thereto by a pivot pinpassing through the brake member substantiallyi at its center of mass, and a. member mounted on said frame and providing a braking surface against 10 which said brake members are pressed by ceri-- trifugal force when said shaft is rotated.

GORDON F. LAING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS I Number Name Date 422,786 Holzmann Mar. 4, 1890 703,585 Vom Hofe July 1, 1902 937,672 Bronson Oct. 19, 1909 948,026 Scotchmer Feb. 1, 1910 969,235 Wallensak Sept. 6, 1910 1,276,367 Ide Aug. 20, 1918 1,347,529 Werry July 27, 1920 1,456,283 Schmid May 22, 1923 1,503,818 Crane Aug. 5, 1924 1,583,783 Edison May 11, 1926 1,639,629 Case Aug. 16, 1927 1,948,333 Case Feb. 20, 1934 2,154,122 Brenneman Apr. 11, 1939 2,198,231 Schafer Apr. 23, 1940 2,205,125 Dayton June 11, 1940 2,226,188 Wittel Dec. 24, 1940 2,290,662 Willison July 21, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 5,531 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1914 149,377 Germany Apr. 29, 1903 299,269 Great Britain Oct. 25, 1928 320,896 Great Britain Oct. 24, 1929 

